Pacino86845 wrote:That's a great review havoc, thanks for writing!
EDIT: Poll is up!
It wasn't for you!
But thanks for the poll...
Pacino86845 wrote:That's a great review havoc, thanks for writing!
EDIT: Poll is up!
judderman wrote:I'm with you, Havoc. One of the problems with this movie's MacGuffin is that we never really get a sense of the power of these creatures. The Ark had the melting faces, Sankara had the revived village and the burning bag, the Grail had the old knight. There was an understanding of what they could do. What we get with these skulls is a lot of magnetism and Cate Blanchett turning into CG bits.
That said, I liked it, for the most part, though at no point did I ever feel exhilarated. The film lacked a standout action sequence, and, for the first time, I felt that the opening sequence was a disappointment. Indy escaping a nuclear explosion by hiding in a fridge was too much even for my disposable sense of disbelief. And don't get me started on the prairie dogs. The actors were good; Blanchett obviously had a blast playing her role, and it shows. Shia was OK, though I still pine for how good River Phoenix would have been in that role. Allen smiled a few too many times, but it was obvious she and Harrison had chemistry. I really didn't like Winstone's or Hurt's characters. The whole, "I'm-a-traitor-no-I'm-not" theme was tiresome, and did nothing to expand or deepen the character. I can only assume Hurt took his role for the cheque, and I hope they paid him a lot, because it was humiliating to see him babble cod-poetic gibberish without a break.
AtomicHyperbole wrote:Nice review Havoc - captured a lot of what I felt too.
Anyway, here's my own to ruminate on -
I'll admit I was pretty excited when I went in to see this film. Fuxxakes, it's Indiana fucking JONES, man! I was bound to like at least 60% of it. There's no way to actually fuck up the formula. Well, maybe a little, depending on what your thoughts of sticking to formula in the first place is.
If you loved either Temple of Doom of The Raiders of the Lost Ark, you're going to enjoy the majority of what this film has to offer. It's like Spielberg's taken the pulp sensibilities and cartoonish monkeying (literally) around of the sequel-prequel, and the feel, familial relationships and plotting of the second and rammed them together with a bit of Mission To Mars added for... well, I'm not sure really. Don't get me wrong, I actually enjoyed the change in the central macguffin as it totally suited the newer 1950's setting, but there's many a reason as to why that comparasion is justified.
The story itself is your basic Indy fetch quest - the now typical hook of an old colleague going missing, coupled with the arrival of Mutt Williams as a sidekick, off to find a hidden treasure that's packed away in amongst hidden clues and ancient surrounds. It starts off with a literal bang though, and although I can definitely nod to Havoc's disappointment with the title card, the music and scene-setting is typically Spielberg-slick. I even dug the little jokes that he pops in there, yes including the prairie dogs (who doesn't love those little critters), and the introduction back to Indy's world of danger and excitement through the first action sequence is top-notch. Ford steps back into the hat with all the grit he can muster, but pulls it back when needed to show that this Indy's now on roads well travelled. The obligatory scenes in the University and Indy's house show a grizzled man who's seen it all (and more, some nice references to other stories get you thinking) and felt loss. One line in particular about life taking things away as you get older, delivered by none other than now movie-regular Jim Broadbent (is there anything he's not in these days), is particularly heartfelt and Ford's little reaction to it really hit the character home.
Moving on to Mutt, Shia LeBeef manages to actually hold up really bloody well in this film. I was suprised by this as he's always seemed a kind of comic-relief actor in the past, maybe building on that a little in Transformers, but he manages to pack away the Shia-isms pretty well and deliver a kid who can hold his own like, well, a young Indiana. The rapport between him and Indy Jnr is spikey and he acquits himself really well in the fights, his natural comic timing ably comparing to Ford's mid-action scene, and he always feels credible and well-rounded. I wouldn't mind seeing another movie with him in, to be honest - not sure I could endure a spinoff, but there's no reason he couldn't make a brilliant action hero at some point. Not giving too much away, but the ending gave a nice nod to maybe keeping everything under wraps - at least for the time being.
Bringing Marion back was also a great idea. What little is said between the two is nicely dealt with and to be frank, I'm glad that the film didn't end up pressing too hard on what happened to them, what they've been doing, or allowing them to argue more than is necessary. Frankly Karen isn't the strongest thing in this film, as noted before in previous reviews, but she manages to ignite some of the old Raiders passion between the two, even if it's oldie passion. Ew.
Whilst not nearly as weak as the villains in The Last Crusade, the bad guys are again merely a repetition of the Nazi formula from the first and the third films, only this time the dangers of Doom are also replicated by repeating the same threatening native stereotypes - but with nothing to say and far less interesting as they're kind of thrown in. Cate Blanchett's Irina is a reasonable main bad guy, maybe not quite as interesting as Raiders' Belloq but certainly with more background than Ram. I almost wish they'd done a little bit more with her psychic power thing, but unfortunately the film doesn't really go anywhere with it other than to give Indy something to smile wryly about. Her henchman, replete with second-rate Pat "Bomber" Roach, manage to provide decent enough cannon fodder and quite a few hilarious deaths, so they do their job. Winstone's Mac seems doomed to merely repeat the errors of all greedy Indy villains and his interesting turnabouts of character don't quite lead anywhere, making him feel rather impotent. Although I enjoyed what they provided in terms of crunchy action, it's a shame that none of them seem to provide any credible threat to Indy again, and I really felt a twinge of missed potential.
As for the action, well, the first half of the film is superb. Funnily enough all the best bits, for me at least, are concentrated there, the highlight being the (to my mind, contraversial I know), nuclear blast and university motorbike chases. As soon as they hit the jungle, the movie seems to lose steam, but once the jeep chase begins I was back in the action. The film also provides some beautifully squeamish moments reminscent of Doom - Spielberg and Lucas could do well to loosen up a bit and let some of the more pulpy ideas be stretched out a bit if there's a next time! If. The references, for the most part, also didn't get in the way.
Back to the macguffin, which leads me to the end of the movie. The change of era helped a lot in making me swallow this. There's no reason why anyone couldn't relax into the (not giving anything away, frankly, it's obvious from the start) alien angle, as it ties in with a lot of other historical backstory and never really veers too far into the realm of sci-fi. Unfortunately, it also gives Spielberg a chance to invest in what's rapidly becoming a really fucking annoying trait - not being able to follow up on the payoff. And why? Well, think AI, think War of The Worlds. Then maybe think Mission to Mars. The weakest element was not following up on the wonderfully designed Skull, and later Mayan portraits - I think that's enough for those of you that've seen it to know what I'm getting at. The film literally manages to balls up part of the ending entirely, which frankly is a shame - and it's not just picking either. Thankfully the usual "light show" (think Raiders-esque, only "MOAR!") managed to regain my attention right at the end, but at the point where the macguffin comes together and provides us with the "revelation", I literally wanted to get out of the cinema, jump on a plane, kidnap Spielberg and give him a right telling off.
OK, so generally - I enjoyed it. I enjoyed it as much as any Indy spin-off featuring Indy could get (that's a pretty high compliment). It managed to rock my socks in many places, even after the slowdown in the middle. But where does it come when listing out the faves? Well, I sit with Mori on this one. I enjoyed it more than Last Crusade, but I'd imagine many would enjoy it Temple of Doom, so I guess - depending on your POV - that makes it the third best of a very, very good serial.
And thinking once more, what would the theme be on this one this time round? If the first was revelation, the second realisation, the third illumination, maybe the last is rejuvination. Heh. Worth thinking on and talking about, perhaps?
AtomicHyperbole wrote:Oh yes. Say what you want about the fridge but the shot afterwards rubbed me right on the cinema gland.
AtomicHyperbole wrote:Damn, I should've recalled that distinctive domed head of yours.
Brit Pop wrote:TLC is let down by certain moments of preposterousness... I've always believed that any film, no matter how far-fetched or science fictiony or fantasyy, is believable until something happens that ones subconcious recognizes as an impossibility.
Once that happens the film is lost!! Your brain stops getting involved!!
Raiders and Doom both had a fair amount of preposterousnesses within, but they generally didn't stray into the realm of the flat out impossible (feel free to cite examples of my folly).
Seppuku wrote:Brit Pop wrote:TLC is let down by certain moments of preposterousness... I've always believed that any film, no matter how far-fetched or science fictiony or fantasyy, is believable until something happens that ones subconcious recognizes as an impossibility.
Once that happens the film is lost!! Your brain stops getting involved!!
Raiders and Doom both had a fair amount of preposterousnesses within, but they generally didn't stray into the realm of the flat out impossible (feel free to cite examples of my folly).
In that case, you're going to hate Indy IV with a passion.
I was thinking of writing a few words here, but Burl's B0m H34DSh0T! review said everything I wanted to say already.
Brocktune wrote:can we just give out the zonies now?
as for the Tarzan scene
by Vern May 22nd, 2008
05:06:06 PM
Yes, that was clearly the most ridiculous part of the movie, and I can understand hating that. But let's not pretend there wasn't the Nazi monkey saying "Uh oh" in RAIDERS, Short Round beating up a bunch of adults in TEMPLE OF DOOM, Willie screaming at ten different animals in a row, the River Phoenix scene or Sean Connery's performance in LAST CRUSADE, etc. That scene was taking the goofiness that has always been there a little bit further. I thought it was too far but then the payoff of Cate Blanchett trying to drive while covered in monkeys made me forgive it.
I guess what I'm saying is the Tarzan scene is easier to swallow in an Indiana Jones movie, where it's not THAT far off from what they've already been doing, than it would be in BATMAN BEGINS or something. Or MUNICH.
Pacino86845 wrote:I really liked this film... I haven't seen the originals for a few years now, but this new Indy adventure FELT right, and it was pretty entertaining. Did someone liken this film to Spidey 3? Well I liked Spidey 3, and in this case Kingdom of Crystal Skull fits tonally with its predecessors, unlike Spidey 3.
And what about the thrill of watching Indy on the big screen again, the first time since I was nine years old? Maybe nostalgia took over, but it works and it was exciting... Ford was in top form, Shia was a welcome addition, and Cate was great.
The script was kinda r-tarded, but the action was good and didn't take itself seriously.
bastard_robo wrote:Just got back....
I really, really enjoyed this film.
Seriously. Enjoyed it a lot.
Perfect. No, GOD NO. It sits in the shallow end of the pool of perfect.
But is it good? Yes. Yes it is.
When the film started and Indy was pulled out of the trunk.. It took me a few minutes to adjust.
This is Indy past his Prime. His good years are gone, and the world is now far different place. He dosnt have that advantage of being young and wondrous. instead, he's beaten up and laid out. But he keeps on ticking..
And you know why? Because its the only thing he knows how to do.
Once the mayhem started in the warehouse, everything felt right again.
The fridge! Man what a shot!
Raiders, TOD, and TLC all fit their time and place. Before WW2, before things became more complicated.
This adventure takes place at the beginning of the ATOMIC AGE. When people could care less about ruins and exploring the past. They looked towards the future! To space.
Thats why that end shot worked for me.
And the VERY LAST SHOT.. sealed the deal.
If this is really the last INDY film.. then for me, it went out the way it should.
I do have 3 complaints about the film though.
1) No real opening sequence. All of the other films had an opening like the Bond films.. this one kinda just jumps in and starts swimming.
2) The end credits kinda bugged me, but thats just nit picking
3) The greatest sin of all.. This film is severely lacking in Sallah
I'm really glad that this movie was made. I'm really happy that I managed to see it on opening day.
I'm glad that there is a new Indy adventure at the movies.
and if they choose to spin off into a new series of adventures with Mutt, I'll gladly fork over my hard earned dollars for it.
AtomicHyperbole wrote:[quote="bastard_robo" ]Just got back....
I really, really enjoyed this film.
Seriously. Enjoyed it a lot.
Perfect. No, GOD NO. It sits in the shallow end of the pool of perfect.
But is it good? Yes. Yes it is.
When the film started and Indy was pulled out of the trunk.. It took me a few minutes to adjust.
This is Indy past his Prime. His good years are gone, and the world is now far different place. He dosnt have that advantage of being young and wondrous. instead, he's beaten up and laid out. But he keeps on ticking..
And you know why? Because its the only thing he knows how to do.
Once the mayhem started in the warehouse, everything felt right again.
The fridge! Man what a shot!
Raiders, TOD, and TLC all fit their time and place. Before WW2, before things became more complicated.
This adventure takes place at the beginning of the ATOMIC AGE. When people could care less about ruins and exploring the past. They looked towards the future! To space.
Thats why that end shot worked for me.
And the VERY LAST SHOT.. sealed the deal.
If this is really the last INDY film.. then for me, it went out the way it should.
I do have 3 complaints about the film though.
1) No real opening sequence. All of the other films had an opening like the Bond films.. this one kinda just jumps in and starts swimming.
2) The end credits kinda bugged me, but thats just nit picking
3) The greatest sin of all.. This film is severely lacking in Sallah
I'm really glad that this movie was made. I'm really happy that I managed to see it on opening day.
I'm glad that there is a new Indy adventure at the movies.
and if they choose to spin off into a new series of adventures with Mutt, I'll gladly fork over my hard earned dollars for it.
AtomicHyperbole wrote:Christ sakes, you're ZONERS. You MAY enjoy it in all its pulp glory, it's an Indy Lucas/Spielberg collaboration and you're NOT going to see it based off of a couple of bad reviews on this site? What happened to just being excited and geeking out and going to see it anyway? Five pounds, or five dollars, on the big screen?
Seppuku wrote:Does anyone think that the line John Hurt utters during the wedding scene at the end, "How much of human life is lost in waiting?" was Spielberg's sly dig at the fans for wasting so much of their lives getting so militantly nostalgic about these old, very fun and very silly movies to begin with?
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